Flush valve



FLUSH VALVE Filed Oct. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 19, 1932. J. 1..FINNEGAN FLUS H VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 1, 1928 Gwen wt;

5 at predetermined time erence being Patented Jan. 19, 1932 JOHN L.FINNE A'N; or nAsHviLLn; 'rnnnnssnn.

Application iile cl cteber1;,1928 Serial No. 3159,5091; b

. r rlnsn v-ALvn i This invention relates toflush valves for watercloset and other service systems, 'and particularly to flush valves ofthat type for automatically performing a flushing action periods- Oneobject of the invention is to. provide a flush valve which is simple ofconstruction, reliable and eiilclent lnaction, and wh ch may be variedin action for automatic service to vary Another object of the flushingperiods as desired,

the invention s to pro vide a flush valve which may be operated by hand,if desired,'without disruptingits nor:

mal automatic action,

justed for hand oper action is not desired or which may be adation whenan automat c Still another object of the invention is'to provide, aflush valve cally refill a waste trap With these and otherobjectsinview,

invention consists of tion, combination and hereinafter fully describedand claimed, ref

had to the accompanying drawings, in which Flgure' 1 1s a vert whichwill automati by drainage action.

the features or construcarrangement of parts,

an longitudinal section through a flush valve embodying myinvention,showing the parts as they appear between in cutofi position or flushingperiods.

Figure 2 is a section through one sideoi the valve takenat right anglesto that'shown in Figure l.

" Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 or" Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken through the valve casingat a pointcasing fastenings is where one of .the applied.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line 5 5 of Figure 1.,

"Figure 6 18 a of Flgure 1. I-

" Figure 4 1 of Figure '1.

horizontal section on line 6+6 s a horizontal section online Figure 8 isa horizontal sectiononline 82-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 s a horizontal section on'line 9-9 of Figure-1.

In the practical tion I provide a valve casing 1 pref embodiment of myinvenflush valve comprising a erably 'iformed in three 1 pressurecompartment thebottom section B by a partment; 8 l s the ' being"relieved s'o' that detachably united horizontally divided sections '2',3and 4,- to p it, a central'or body section 2, a bottom s'ec- :tion 3,and a top'sectione, said sections'being at suitable intervals 7 amasvalve; casing by fastening screws? or boltsj5,asshownin-Figure 4;"

The: casingYs'ection 2' is divided a horizontal partition 5 intoa-press'ure1comp art-i ment'7 and'a releasecompartment 8, the'said. 1

being separatedfrom 9 diaphrag1n9 of'rubs,

ber' or otherelastic material',while the com a by a;similar with,adischarge outlet 14 for connection with thetoilet or other fixture orapparatus to be flushed. 'Disposed within. the jcompartinent ll andseparating thesame except at its top is a valve seat tube 1 5' mounted adischarge or from the outletil l 'Wltlllll which is flush valve: 16

separated fromthe top section diaphragm 10. Thessectionj 3 provides adischarge or flush compartment 11 while the section 4- provides a flush1e0n- "trolling or regulating compartment 12.". ,1

The compartmentll is'providedwith a waj ter supply 'inlet 13; forconnection *Withfa wasteservice pipeand having a guide tubel'? formedwith dis-- charge ports 17 therein; prises upperand lower members 18and-18, 1

in threaded engagement wi forming a weig partment" compartments 7 and11. 1 As shown, 'memberxl8 is of less diameter than the valve member 18and tube "15,

- This valve comth each other and ment ofhe diaphragm and'openingmovement of the va'lvejunder pressure in'the com- I 11 and; opposingpressures in the theo valve 'so that" the diaphragmfis-made'to serve asaportion of the valve' to seat tube. 1 When shown in Figure 1 pipe 13 tothe-outlet 14f ma l service pressure; ponderating pressure in sure inthe compartment against the upper edge of said he valve isinfltheiposition s p the flow of waterfro'm the l cut! '11, the valve- 16 Iclamped to the diaphragm 9, the member 18 ht for normally} opposing adetermined resistance-to the upward moveheld-in closed positionagamstthe-nor-.

f the water by a: pre- 5 p the compartment 7. e Whenlthe pressure in thecompartment 7 is I 't becomes less than the presi casing section 4connects. the compartment.

with the compartment 12, and a needle valve 23 in said valve casinggoverns the flow of water from the compartment 7 into this connection,while asimilar valve 23 in the passage 22 of said connection governs the.flow of water from said connection into the compartment 12. Allthreevalves 19, 23 and :23 areremovable for cleaning, repairs or otherpurposes and are adjustable from the exterior for regulating the timeflow of the water-between the compartments or for outtingoft'the flow ofwater when desired. The valve23. is preferably .set so that thecompartment 12' will be filled for a flush regulating action withina-given period of time after having been emptied,-wliile the valve .19is so adjusted; as to effect a replenishment ofthe pressure compartment7, after eachflush action, within less periods of 7 time than reiquiredto replenish the compartment-'12 so ing to the discharge outlet thatafter each flush action the valve 16 will be. automatically closed for acutofl action by the pressure in the compartment 7 while .thecompartment 12 is being refilled ior the subsequent flushing action,While valve 19 is-Inaintained in action, Valve 23 maybe closed whendesired to cut out the automatic action and permit the valve device tobe manually operated, as hereinafter described, without disturbing theadjustment of valve 23, which maybe left set as long as it'is desired tomaintainflush actions 'at predetermined periods in the .automaticoperation of the valve. Y

The casing is formedtoprovide an annular well 24 coextensive in ,depthwith the chambers 7 and 8 and communicating with the chamber 8 at itstop and communicating atits bottom with a drain passage 25 lead- 14.This well is filled with water flowing from chamber 7 to chamber 8, ashereinafter described, and; the water is retained in said chamber 8 andwell 24 until the end of aflushing action through the main valve 16 onaccount of'a preponderance of pressure in the outlet 14 at-all timesexcept at the'end of a flushing action. A

passage 26 and. pipe 27 connect the outlet 14 with the top of chamber8to allow air to enter during thedischarge of water from said chambers12 and 8 and the well 24.

The partition-6 is providedwith a port affording communication betweenthe com- ,partments 7 and 8, said port having a valve .its upper andoutwardly through seat 28 against which a relief valve 29 is adapted toclose upward. The relief valve is carried by a hollow or cylindricalstem 30 depending from the diaphragm 10 and carried by a clamping member31 engaging the underside of the diaphragm. This clamping member 31 isin threaded engagement with a clamping member 32 bearing against thediaphragm 10 within the chamber 12, said clamping member having apassage communicating with the stem 30 and provided with a seat 33 for avertically movable ball float valve 34, said valve being movableupwardly and downwardly in a cage formed by rods 35' extending betweenthe member 32 and a head plate36, carrying a tubular guide tube ornipple 37 through which the float valve stem extends,s aid stemcomprising telescopic sections 38 and 39, the former fixed to the balland'the latter slidable in the nipple 37, the section 38 having at itsupper end a contact head 38 and the section 39having at I lower endscontact heads 39 and 39 A coiled spring 40.is disposed in thecompartment 8 about the stem 30 and about a stationary guide tube 41carried by the partition 6 and in which said stem is movable, saidspring operating to close valve 29 against its seat 28 to allowcompartment 7 to fill through 19 and 18 to cut oii flushing action.Ports 42 are formed inthe stem 30 for communication with the chamber8-and well 24 when the valve 39 is opened for the flow of water from therelief compartment 7 through ports 43 in the guide tube 41 into thechamber 8 and thence into the well 24 and drain passage 25.

Theyguide tube or nipple is movable ina downof the valve member 34. thetop of the casing is a by a cap 47 and having arbushing 48 and a washerbeing clamped with a rubber disk 50 against a shoulder on the exteriorof the bonnet. Movably mounted in the bonnet and attached to the disk 50is a plunger .stem 51 normally held raised by a spring 52 and carrying abutton, knob. or like actuating device 53 projecting the cap 47, bymeans of which the plunger may. be manually depressed against theresistance of the spring. On the underside of the disk 50 is a contactpiece 54 adapted, 011 the depression of the plunger, to engage the guidetube or nipple 37 whereby motion may be transmitted through the floatvalve cage to the diaon which the head '39 of the i valve ;29 tor ahand-operated flush action.

A clamping screw 53- -is;provided'- on cap 47 are closed,

and well 24 drains into outlet 14 for an'after-'- which maybe tightenedagainst plunger stem 51 to hold the plunger fro m movement, when it isdesired to set the device for auto- .matic'operation only.

scends. against the resistance of spring and pressure in compar ment 7'and opens valve29, whereupon, owing to the reduced pressure incompartment Sand well 24 as compared with that in compartment 7, a

primary relief action takes place through a flow of a portion of thewaterfrom compartment 7 through ports 42 and 43 into compartment 8 andwell 24. Valve 16 now opensand water flows to outlet 14 from'compa'rtment 11 and inlet 13 fora main fiushingaction. During theseactions float valve 34 remains closed, but the diaphragm 1O continues'todescend until contacts 38 and 39 engage, thus holding valve 34 fromfurtherdownward movementwhile the diaphragm 10 continues to movedownward to-its limit.

On such further downward movement of diaphragm 10 valve 34 is lifted offits seat 33, and since the valve 34 is buoyant its stem section 38slides upward on its stem section 39, and water flows from thecompartment 12 into compartment 8 and well 24. The pres,- sureincompartment 12 being thus relieved spring 40 closes valve 29 allowingpressure to be built up in compartment 7 The pressure in the-compartment7 now causes valve 16 to close to cut oil the main flush, and immediately thereafter compartment 12 empties into compartment 8 and well24, 25 and outlet by gravity to the 14, and float valve 34 returns 1.During the position shown in Figure main flush, the pressure in theoutlet 14 be ing greater than that in chamber-8 and well 24. the watercontained in said chamber and well is retained therein. As soon,however, as the main flush ceases and valves16 and 29 the water incompartments 8, 12

flush or after-fill action. Water now feeds through valves 19, 23 and 23to the compartments for a replenishing action and for a repetition ofthe flush action as soon as the pressure in compartments is raised againto the predetermined degree.

Should it be desired to operate the flush manually, this may be effectedat any time between automatic flushes, with the compartvice may be thevalve 34 -and diaphragms ap- When compart 'ently repaired- 'show'nispreferred, it will ,*of course, be un-- 7 -.Having thus describedinvention, I

water from said inlet to'said -outlet,-a pres-'- A under pressure inment12 filled-to any; degree, by depressing the plunger 51, if screw53'lpartsused in the automatic action. The deconverted into a manuallyoper-f;

I is released, with- 'outinterferingwith anyv adjustmentof the tainingscrew f53 in" retracted position andv closing" water to the he valve23to cut off the flow of V r chamber 1 2,so that upon manually openingthevalve 29 for a: relief of pressure in compartment 7 the valve 16maybe opened for afiush'action. This may be done xwhile'the' apparatusis-left inconditionfor restoration :of an automatic.

whenever an automatic action is simplyiopenmg'the valve 23' again.-

-From theforegoing descriptiomthje construction and operation valve willbe readily understood, and it will ofmyimproved flush be seen that a'cvalve having i-the capabilities i and advantages stated is' providedwhich is of simpleconstruction and'may be manufactured and sold at acomparatively low cost. J

flush action, desired, by '3 This valve maybe readily and convenientlyany ofits parts, may beeasilyand conveni While the constructiondersto'od that 'c'hanges inthfifQim, proportions,

sacrificing any oftheadvantages of th i vention. q 7 claim 1- flushing-a water'inlet andawat r outl t a Pres;

sure controlled discharge valve governing theoutlet, a pairofpressurecompartments r and a relief compartmen'tin the casing, saidrelief compartment having j a drain outlet,

valve IIIGmbGIfS'COBtIOllIIIg commuand the reliefcomparta pair ofnicationat timed intervalsbetween: the pressure compartments ment, oneof said valve members havinga flowpassagej and they otherofsaid valvemembers controlling said passagepand valve de- 'let'to the pressurecompartment.

2. A-"flush valve comprising a'c'asing having a-water inlet and a-iwateroutlet, apressure=controlled valve governing the flow of 7 surecompartment to thepressure conditions ofwhich said valve is subjected, arelief come partm'ent communicating with the outlet, a regulatingcompartment, valved regulating passages controlling pressure andregulating compartments, an automatically closing relief valve movablethe regulating-compartment to establish communication between theflow ofwaterfto the};

and details of= confstru c tionmay be made 'withinthescope" oftheappfended claimswithout departinglfrom the spirit or ice valvecomprising acasing hav :installed, :not:.-1iab1e-' to getout ofworkingro'rder, and intheevntbf derangement of vices governing a flow of waterfromthe' in- A the relief and pressure; compartments, andei q V :avalve-adapted to "openunder' 'a predetera mined opening movement of therelief-valveing a water inlet and a water sure controlled valvegoverning the flow of to open communication through said relief 1 valvebetween the regulating and relief compartments.

3. A flush valvecomprisi-ng a casing :havoutlet, a preswvater from saidinlet to said outlet,-a pressure compartment to the pressure conditionsof which said valve is subjected, a relief com- I partment communicatingwith the outlet a regulating compartment, valved regulating passagecontrollingrthe flow of water to the pressure and'regulatingcompartments, an

automatically closing relief valve movable under pressure: in theregulating compartment to establishcommunication between the relief andpressure compartments,-anda float valvein the regulating compartmentadapted to'open upon a predetermined movement of through said relief therelief valve to open communication valve between; the regu- *latingandrelief compartments.

4. A flush valve comprising a casing having a water inlet anda Wateroutlet, a pressure controlled valve governing the flow of water fromsaidinlet to said outlet, a pressure compartment'to the pressureconditions 'of which said valve is subjected, a relief compartmentcommunicating with the outlet, a

regulating compartment, valved regulating a passages controlling. theflow of water to the pressure and regulating compartments, an

automatically closing relief valve movable under? pressure in theregulating compart ,ment to establish commun cation between the reliefand the regulating compartmentadapted to be Opened by the relief valveafter'a predeterr minedv movement ,of said relief valve to establishcommunication between the regulating and relief compartments, andmanually adjustable meansfor controlling and regu- Water from said inletto said outlet, a pres-- ments.

pressure eompartments,a valve in ea m-# :and a float; valve in theregulating compartments 'controll-ingsaid; passage inthe reliefva-lvezand adapted to open under a predetermined movement of saidrelief'valve to establish communication through the passage between theregulating and relief compartwhereofl I aflix my signature.

It testimony JOHN 'L. FINN EGAN.

sure compartment to the pressure conditions 1 ofwhich said valve is--subjected, a-relief compartment communicating-With the out- 1 to the:let, a regulating compartment, valved regulating. passagescontrollingthe How of Water pressure andregulatmg compartments,

a hollow automatically closinggrelief valve movable under pressure inthe regulating compartment-to establish communication between thepressure and reliefcompartments, said valve havingza portion for openingand closing communication between said com- :partmentsand having apassage for connecting the relief-and regulating-compartments,

